Vitiligo

Vitiligo is a chronic skin disease that causes loss of pigment, resulting in irregular pale or white patches of skin. Common areas of the skin losing pigment are the face, lips, hands, arms, legs, and genital areas. Vitiligo occurs when the melanocytes die or are unable to function. However, the precise cause of vitiligo is complex and not fully understood.

Today, about 0.5 to 1 percent of the world’s population has Vitiligo. Most of the people who have vitiligo develop it before age 40; half the people develop it before their 20th birthday. Vitiligo affects individuals of all ethnic origins and both sexes; however, it is much more easily noticed on darker skin.

There are at least three theories about the underlying mechanism of vitiligo:

• Nerve endings in the skin release a chemical that is toxic to the melanocytes
• Melanocytes simply self-destruct
• It is type of autoimmune disease in which the immune system targets the body's own cells and tissues.

Types of Vitiligo

The skin disorder, Vitiligo is an autoimmune disease that can happen to anyone, regardless of age, gender, and ethnicity. In this pigmentation disorder, the melanocytes (cells that make pigment) in the skin are destroyed, causing white patches to appear on the skin. These patches can appear anywhere on the body, especially on areas that are more exposed to the sun, such as hands, arms, feet, face and neck. There are mainly three patterns of Vitilgo, and the most common one is Generalized Pattern Vitiligo. Generalized Pattern Vitiligo is listed as a type, and is proportional on both sides of the body.

Vitiligo is a skin condition which is caused by the malfunctioning or loss of cells, called melanocytes, which give color to the skin. The loss of melanocytes results in smooth, white patches in the middle of normally pigmented skin. Vitiligo, or leucoderma, is a common skin disorder, which is usually inherited, and can affect anyone anywhere. There are two main types of vitiligo patterns: segmental and non-segmental (generalized). The non-segmental pattern of vitiligo is very common among people and causes depigmentation to occur symmetrically on both sides of the body, whereas in Segmental Pattern Vitiligo, depigmented patches develop on only one side of the body.

Focal Pattern Vitiligo is the most rare pattern form of the skin disorder called Vitiligo, or leucoderma. This skin disorder causes smooth white patches to appear on the skin due to the malfunctioning or the loss of melanocytes (cells that make pigment). In Focal Pattern Vitiligo, the depigmentation of skin is limited to one or only a few areas. The Focal Pattern Vitiligo and segmental vitiligo do not spread and remain localized to one part of the body, whereas generalized vitiligo is likely to spread over different parts of the body. There is no such cure for Vitiligo, however, herbal treatments have proved to be fruitful over the years.

Vitiligo patches often occur symmetrically across both sides on the body. Occasionally small areas of the body may repigment as they are recolonised by melanocytes. Vitiligo may also be caused by stress that affects the immune system. The disturbed immune system may lead the body to react and start losing skin pigment. Vitiligo on the scalp may affect the color of the hair, leaving white patches or streaks and so affect facial and body hair.

Vitiligo

When the pigment producing cells, the ‘melanocytes’ are attacked and destroyed, it may affect the skin, mucous membranes, eyes, inner ear or hairs leaving white patches. The usual type of vitiligo is called ‘Vitiligo Vulgaris’, meaning common vitiligo. It is often believed that vitiligo is an autoimmune disorder during which the bodies own immune system turns on itself. Certain white blood cells cause the death of melanocytes. People with vitiligo are also somewhat more prone to other autoimmune diseases. These diseases may include alopecia areata, autoimmune thyroid disorders, Addison’s disease, pernicious anemia, and diabetes mellitus.

Half the patients first notice vitiligo before they turn 20. The disease often starts appearing on the hands, feet or face, and frequently pigment loss is progressive. However, the degree of pigment loss can vary within each patch. The areas of minor injury or sunburn are more prone to it. There is some evidence suggesting that Vitiligo is caused by a combination of auto-immune, genetic, and environmental factors. Typical vitiligo shows an area of milky-white skin, but there may be different shades of pigment in a patch, or a border of darker skin may circle an area of light skin.

Vitiligo often begins with a rapid loss of pigment, leaving marks and may continue until the process stops. However, cycles of pigment loss may continue indefinitely. The marks may grow, shrink, or remain constant in size. It is rare for skin pigment in vitiligo patients to return on its own and to its normal. Some people who believe they no longer have the disease actually have lost all their pigment and no longer have marks of contrasting skin color. Although the patient’s skin is all one color, they still have vitiligo. The location of vitiligo affected skin changes over time; some patches may re-pigment and others may remain affected.

Most people with vitiligo are in good general health. But, it may occur with other autoimmune diseases such as thyroid disease. The duration and severity of pigment loss differ with each person. Light-skinned people usually notice the contrast between vitiligo affected areas and suntanned skin in the summer. There is no way to predict how much pigment an individual will lose; however, those with severe cases can lose pigment all over the body.

Though the change in appearance caused by Vitiligo can affect a person’s emotional and psychological well-being, yet there are several strategies help them cope with this disease. It is important to find a good doctor who takes the disorder seriously and provides emotional support. Individuals need to let their doctors know if they are feeling depressed. Doctors and other mental health professionals should be able to help patients deal with depression. Of the interest is the fact that some people with vitiligo have found cosmetics helpful overcoming their depression and embarrassment.

Cosmetics that cover the white patches may improve your appearance and help them feel better about themselves. But, before finding the product that work best, you may need to experiment with several brands of concealing cosmetics. It is also strongly suggested that patients should try to learn as much as possible about the disorder and treatment choices so that they can participate in making important decisions about medical care.

There are number of Persons suffering from Vitiligo, some of them are listed below:

Commonly Asked Questions About Vitiligo:

Q: What is Vitiligo? How does it occur?

A:Vitiligo is a skin disorder characterized by patches of depigmentation which may either be localized or generalized. Although the exact cause of Vitiligo is not known yet, the most plausible scientific explanation is that the brown or black pigment known as Melanin producing cells or melanocytes are either destroyed or rendered dysfunctional as a result of an autoimmune process incited against them. As a result of which skin loses its normal colour and white patces become visible. Vitiligo affects all races and both sexes. It may also run in families how it is not necessarily congenital.

Q: How effective is Vitiligo Oil? I have been on an allopathic treatment for Vitiligo but I have heard it is not devoid of side effects? Is Vitiligo Oil free of side effects?

A: Yes, CureVitiligoOil is absolutely side effect free. It is a blend of all natural ingredients namely Barberry root, Coconut oil, Black cumin and Psoralea coryfolia. The medicinal value of each ingredient has been known for long. CureVitiligoOil is a clinically proven therapy for Vitiligo. Years of research and extensive study has finally led to the development of this oil. This product is a clinical success which means that it has been tested on patients. It is a widely known fact that allopathic medicines provide a relief for so long as the medicines are used, the moment medicines are stopped the diseased condition reverts (Diabetes mellitus for instance requires a lifelong ingestion of allopathic medicines for maintaining a normal Serum Insulin level).

Q: Hi, I am from India and naturally a Bollywood follower and I landed onto your site while browsing the word Vitiligo. I wanted to know what is the skin condition of Amitab Bachan? Is it Vitiligo?

A: Hi there, welcome to www.curevitiligooil.com. You can browse the site and gather information as you please. Amitabh Bachan is one of the celebrities suffering from Vitiligo. Amitab Bachan, idolized and eulogized by many fans all over the world, has ruled Indian cinema for more than four decades. He was diagnosed with Vitiligo in 1980s. Vitiligo patches can be seen on his hands. You can search Internet for more celebrities and find list of the famous stars suffering from Vitiligo, Michael Jackson and Richard Mark Hammond, for instance, suffered/suffer from Vitiligo. Vitiligo patches are visible on Richard Mark Hammondís face. Michael Jackson, criticised heavily all his life for cosmetic surgeries, had Vitiligo patches on his face, lips, hands, arms and nose which he hid by undergoing complete depigmentation of his skin.

Q: What skin disease does Amitabh bachchan suffer from? How can it be differentiated from other skin disorders?

A: Amitabh Bachchan, popularly known as Big B, is an Indian leading actor who has served and ruled over Indian cinema for decades. Held higher than God by his fans, he enjoys unparallel fame and respect amongst the Bollywood followers. He was diagnosed with Vitiligo in 1980s. His Vitiligo patches are apparent on the back side of his hands and appear visibly in a few movies. Vitiligo can be easily separated by other skin disorders such as eczema, dermatitis, psoriasis, leprosy in that the Vitiligo patches are not itchy and they cause no discomfort to patient. Vitiligo does not cause skin lesions, scarring, swelling and pus. Vitiligo is characterized by the appearance of white patches on skin caused due to destruction of melanocytes owing to autoimmune reaction incited against them. A patient suffering from Vitiligo is in under no life threatening danger.